Switch-lever lock.



P. RAMSEY.

SWITCH LEVER LOOK.

APPLIOATION FILED APR.21, 1913.

1,086,082. Patented Feb.3,1914.

2L; 5 WIYTNESSE;. 32

ATTORNEY:

PETER RAMSEY, OF CONGO, OHIO.

SWITCH-LEVER LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 3,1914.

Application filed April 21, 1913. Serial No. 762,592.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PETER RAMSEY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Congo, in the county of Perry and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Lever Locks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to switch lever locks, and the primary object of my invention is the provision of positive and reliable means, in amanner as hereinafter set forth, for looking a switch lever or arm in adjusted position, whereby the switch lever or arm cannot be surreptitiously thrown or moved, thereby eliminating accidents incident thereto.

Another object of this invention is to furnish a cross tie or other support with a latch and a switch arm or lever with a lock casing that receives said latch and retains the switch arm or lever in a locked position relatively to said latch until a locking mechanism is actuated by a key furnished a trainman or person authorized to manipulate the switch arm or lever.

A further object of this invention is to provide a protecting device for a switch lever lockthat prevents the forces of nature from impairing the usefulness of the locking mechanism.

lVith the above and other objects in view the invention resides in the novel construe tion, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter specifically described and then claimed.

Reference will now be had to the drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the switch lever lock, Fig. 2 is an end view of a portion of the same illustrating the protecting device, Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the lock casing partly broken away and partly in section, illustrating the latch in a locked position, Fig. 4 is a similar view illustrating the locking mechanism partially shifted to release the latch, Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a portion of the lock casing showing the locking mechanism completely shifted to release the latch, and Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a portion of the key used in connection with the lock.

Further describing my invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein like numerals denote corresponding parts throughout: 1 denotes a portion of a switch lever or arm having a weight or hand grip 2.

The reference numeral 3 denotes a tie or other support upon which there is secured by spikes 1 or other fastening means the lateral flanges 5 of a latch block 6. The block 6 has a vertical stationarylatch 7 and the upper end of said latch is hook-shaped, as at S. This latch is located adjacent to one end of the block 6 and at the opposite end of said block there are two vertical oppositely disposed guide arms 9 and 10. Pivotally connected to the arm 10 by a pin 11 is an angle shield or protecting device 12, which has the inner side thereof provided with a cam 13 adapted to be struck by the lower edge of the arm or lever 1 to close the shield whereby a. portion of the arm or lever and the lock casing thereby will be protected to a certain extent against the forces of nature.

To cushion the arm or lever as it is swung downwardly between the guide arms 9 and 10, the block 6 is recessed, as at 14 and provided with a spring supported plunger 15. This plunger receives the arm or lever as it is swung between the guide arms 9 and 10, said plunger gradually yielding until the arm or lever assumes a normal position relatively to the block 6. Pivotally connected to the block 6 is a yoke 6 that rests normally upon the block but can be swung upwardly to prevent the switch arm 1 from seating between the guides 9 and 10, thereby preventing the switch arm from being locked when it is unnecessary to lock the same. Suitably connected to the switch arm or lever 1 is a rectangular lock casing 16 having a detachable front 17 The lock casing is provided with an opening 18 whereby the latch 7 can enter said lock casing.

Pivotally connected to the inner wall of the lock casing 16 by a pin 19 is a camshaped keeper 20 having a hook 21 to engage the hook-shaped end 8 of the latch 7 The keeper also has a socket or recess 22 in the lower edge thereof, the purpose of which will presently appear. Slidably mounted upon the inner wall of the lock casing 16 is a slide 23, said slide being movably supported by a ward 24 and a pin 25. The slide is slotted, as at 26 to provide clearance for said ward and said pin. The upper edge of the slide 23 has an enlargement 27 to engage in the socket 0r recess 2 of the keeper 20, and the lower edge of said slide has a key notch, the purpose of which .will presently appear. Pivotally mounted upon the pin is a tumbler 29 and said tumbler is provided with a shoulder 30 and a slot, 31, the former being adapted to engage a pin 32, carried by the front side of the slide 23, while the latter provides clearance for said pin after the tumbler is elevated. To hold the tumbler normally in a lowered position a retractile spring 33 is connected to the pivoted end of said tumbler.

The front plate 17 of the casing 16 has a key-hole that permits of a key 35 being inserted in the lock casing and said key has bits 36 and 37. The former is adapted to engage in the key notch 28 of the slide 23 and the latter to engage the lower edge of the tumbler 29 and elevate said tumbler. Assumingthat the latch 7 is located within the casing 16, as shown in Fig. 3, it is only necessary to insert the key in the hole 34 and rotate the same to the right or clockwise. The bit 37 engages the lower edge of the tumbler 29 and elevates said tumbler, placing the slot 31 thereof in position to provide clearance for the pin 32 of the slide 23. As the bit 36 engages the walls of the notch 28 the slide 23 is shifted, thereby causing the enlargement 27 to move out of the socket or recess 22 of the keeper and tilt said keeper to the position shown in Fig. 5. When the latch 7 is released the spring pressed plunger 15 of the latch block 6 immediately elevates the switch lever or arm 1, kicks open the shield 12 and permits of the switch lever or arm being easily swung or manipulated.

It is thought that the operation and utility of my invention will be apparent without further description and while in the drawing there is illustrated a preferred em bodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the structural elements are susceptible to such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claim.

lVhat I claim is In a switch lever lock, the combination with a switch lever, of a latch block adjacent to said lever, guide arms carried thereby and adapted to receive said lever, a stationary latch carried by said block, a lock casing carried by said lever and adapted to receive said latch, a locking mechanism within said casing and adapted to be actuated by a key to release said latch, means between said guide arms for elevatin said switch lever when said latch is released, and a pivoted shield carried by one of said arms and adapted to swing over said switch lever and the lock casing thereof.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

PETER RAMSEY.

\Vitnesses CLYDE DUNLAP, CARL BAILEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, I). O. 

